The American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Wisconsin Public Health Association (WPHA) have declared racism as an “ongoing public health crisis that needs our attention now.” Health inequities are differences in health status or in the distribution of health resources between different population groups, arising from the social conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age (CDC definition.) Race is one of the key health inequities.
Amanda Miller has been working in the area of health inequity for many years, with most recent work occurring within the local Population Health Group. Fond du Lac County has identified social determinants of health (SDoH) as an overarching area to address. SDoH’s are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. Race and ethnicity are factors that affect SDoH. The Population Health Group is currently examining how specific racial and ethnic groups feel about their health and well-being through upcoming focus groups.
There are a variety of ways in which public health professionals can incorporate racial and health inequity into their work, including have a better understanding of this issue. To help prepare for focus groups with specific racial and ethnic groups, Miller has connected the group with a variety of resources on racism and health inequities. This includes information from UW-Population Health Institute, WPHA, and APHA.
- UW-Population Health Institute Resources – https://uwphi.pophealth.wisc.edu/match/match-wisconsin-healthiest-state-initiative/ and https://uwphi.pophealth.wisc.edu/match/match-health-equity-initiatives/
- WPHA Resources – https://www.wpha.org/page/Racism_resources
- APHA Resources – https://apha.org/events-and-meetings/webinars/racism-and-health
